Termite lives in Etheneum, the city of the Knowledge Seekers. Raised as an orphan, he is adopted by the Protector of the Etheneum, Uncle Denesius. He is an odd sort of favorite of the Protector, putting him in the line of fire of the other orphans who are training to become Knowledge Seekers.

In particular, Roderick has a terrible case of jealousy and would have made Termite's life miserable but for the barter he established with the Protector's head swordsman, Petregal. In exchange for food to feed his parents, Petregal trains Termite to defend himself.

As the last batch of Knowledge Seekers are anointed and given their red wool capes and Talismans, Termite is given a different mission than going out into the post-apocalyptic world of the 2500's and gathering Books to save in the repository of the Etheneum.

Termite is about to receive his instructions when the evil Wraith Lord from Roarim City attacks the Etheneum. Amidst the chaos, Uncle Denesius is able to give Termite his personal Talisman with directions to take it to the Ground Station of NASA in Roarim City.

What follows is a horrible betrayal, the loss of many lives and, ultimately, the discovery of the truth about Termite's past, the chance for redemption of his world and the revelation of how the Ancients came to the brink of annihilation.

This is truly a 5 star book. It reminds me of "A Canticle for Leibowitz" but more contemporary and extremely well written. You won't regret the time taken to delve into The Knowledge Seeker. ( )